The Tokyo Olympics begin a year today, and Open champion Shane Lowry is eager to be a part of Team Ireland's bid for medals.
32-year-old Lowry received a hero's welcome in Clara in County Offaly yesterday evening, where thousands of fans celebrated his brilliant win in golf's oldest major.
Lowry pulled out of the 2016 Rio Olympics, with Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power the two Irish representatives in Brazil, as golf made its return to the Games.
Lowry would welcome the opportunity to hold the tricolor if asked for the opening ceremony and he is willing to embrace the Olympic experience.
"It will be incredible. I missed the last one. I got a lot of stick for that. I had my own reasons, but this has gone a long way to putting me on the plane to Japan. We'll be going over the week after the Open next year for the opening ceremony, so to be around for that will be pretty cool. Wins are hard to come by, but hopefully, I can go there and bring a medal home."
Lowry has already indicated that qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team in Wisconsin next year is a priority. Padraig Harrington will captain the side at Whistling Straits.
Lowry hasn't played in a Ryder Cup before and there were no points on offer for winning the Open.
However, if he can maintain his current form, a captain's pick would also be a possibility.
It's been an incredible few days for the man from the Faithful County, who has brought a reservoir of humility and generosity to his dealings with the public.
Shane Lowry has allowed wellwishers to hold the claret jug and it's a role model's example of how to treat people generally.
One would hope now that Lowry is given the chance to be left alone and celebrate his achievement in privacy with family and friends.
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